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Rishi Sunak is set to become prime minister. His first task will be to appoint a new cabinet.

It will not be an easy job following the past few months of infighting during Boris Johnson’s premiership, then the brutal summer Tory leadership campaign, followed by MPs in the past few days coming out in favour of Mr Johnson before switching allegiance when he dropped out.

Rishi Sunak to be PM after Penny Mordaunt drops out – follow live updates

Sky News looks at the possible candidates for the major cabinet positions.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt walks outside Downing Street in London, Britain October 20, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Chancellor

Jeremy Hunt

The current chancellor could keep his job under Mr Sunak, having reversed the majority of Liz Truss’s mini-budget – policies Mr Sunak warned would be detrimental to the economy.

Seen as a steady hand, keeping Mr Hunt could be an attempt to keep the markets calm.

However, Mr Sunak made no promises to keep Mr Hunt as his right-hand man. Penny Mordaunt did.

Former British Health Secretary Sajid Javid leaves his home in London, Britain July 6, 2022. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska

Sajid Javid

It was Sajid Javid who quit Boris Johnson’s cabinet just minutes before Mr Sunak earlier this year, which led to many more resignations and ultimately Mr Johnson’s downfall.

He was also Mr Sunak’s predecessor as chancellor, and was Mr Sunak’s boss in the Treasury, so has the experience the new PM would be looking for.

Mr Javid did support Ms Truss in the last leadership campaign and implied Mr Sunak was “sleepwalking” the UK “into a big-state, high-tax, low-growth, social democratic model”.

However, having him on board could be seen as a way of reaching out across the party.

Britain's Secretary of State for International Trade Kemi Badenoch walks next to the campaign headquarters of Conservative MP Rishi Sunak, in London, Britain, October 24, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Kemi Badenoch

Former leadership rival and cabinet colleague Kemi Badenoch threw her weight behind Mr Sunak on Sunday.

Seen as a rising star on the right of the Conservative Party, appointing the former banker and exchequer secretary to the Treasury would appease those on the right.

Mel Stride

A very loyal Sunak supporter, who ran his leadership campaign both times, Mel Stride could be rewarded with a cabinet position.

If not chancellor, then he could get a top job in the Treasury such as chief secretary to the Treasury, or he could get his old job under Theresa May back – financial secretary to the Treasury.

Penny Mordaunt at the launch of her campaign to be Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister, at the Cinnamon Club, in Westminster, London. Picture date: Wednesday July 13, 2022.

Foreign Secretary

Penny Mordaunt

Mr Sunak could give his leadership rival one of the great positions of state in a show of unity following months of divisive politics within the Conservative Party.

Penny Mordaunt, a Navy reservist, served as international development secretary and defence secretary under former PM Theresa May so has the right CV to be foreign secretary.

Tom Tugendhat

Another former leadership rival, Tom Tugendhat was chair of the powerful Foreign Affairs Select Committee for five years until last month, when he was made security minister by Ms Truss.

He also served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Territorial Army and helped set up the National Security Council of Afghanistan for the Foreign Office before becoming an MP.

Strong on foreign policy, he is seen as a competent pair of hands to take on the foreign secretary role from James Cleverly.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaks to the media ahead of the Conservative Party annual conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Picture date: Wednesday October 5, 2022.

James Cleverly

Despite initially coming out in support of Mr Johnson, the current foreign secretary could remain in place under Mr Sunak.

Keeping him in post would help with continuity in an area where it is needed, given the Ukraine War and increasing threat from China.

His experience as minister for the Middle East, North Africa and North America, followed by minister for Europe and North America means he is a steady hand.

Grant Shapps speaking to the media ahead of the Conservative Party annual conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Picture date: Monday October 3, 2022.

Home Secretary

Grant Shapps

Mr Sunak could keep the current home secretary in post as a reward for his loyal support during the last two leadership races.

Grant Shapps replaced Suella Braverman as home secretary just last week after Ms Truss brought him in to steady the ship despite criticising her plan to cut the top rate of income tax.

An experienced cabinet member, keeping him as home secretary could be another attempt at maintaining continuity.

Sajid Javid

The former cabinet minister and close friend of Mr Sunak could take up his role as home secretary yet again, having previously served briefly under Ms May.

Suella Braverman

An unlikely candidate after she quit as home secretary last week, but Mr Sunak could bring Ms Braverman back in after she publicly supported him.

British Minister without Portfolio Oliver Dowden arrives on Downing Street, in London, Britain May 25, 2022. REUTERS/John Sibley

Deputy PM

Oliver Dowden

The former co-chairman of the Conservative Party and one of Mr Sunak’s closest friends in politics has been helping run Mr Sunak’s campaign so could be well-rewarded with a spot next to Mr Sunak.

He is popular among MPs and also has cabinet experience so could be seen as good support for Mr Sunak.

Before becoming an MP he was David Cameron’s chief of staff so is well-versed in gathering support from across the party.

British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab gets out of a car outside Downing Street in London, Britain, July 12, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Dominic Raab

A strong backer of Mr Sunak, Mr Raab came out early in support of the former chancellor and has defended him over the summer against accusations Mr Sunak betrayed Mr Johnson.

He could well be rewarded by taking back his job as deputy PM, which he held under Mr Johnson.

Jeremy Hunt

If he does not stay as chancellor, Mr Sunak could make Mr Hunt his deputy PM as a reward for supporting him.

The pair have similar views on the economy so he would be seen as a good person to help steer the party.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace rules himself out of the Conservative leadership, supporting Boris Johnson

Defence Secretary

Ben Wallace

One of the few cabinet secretaries to keep their job during both Mr Johnson and Ms Truss’s premierships, Ben Wallace is seen as key to helping the situation in Ukraine.

Mr Sunak will likely want to keep the former Army captain as defence secretary, however the new PM did not commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030.

Mr Wallace had said that was a red line for him so if Mr Sunak fails to commit to that now, Mr Wallace could quit.

Penny Mordaunt

In an attempt to show unity and stability across government, Mr Sunak could make his leadership rival defence secretary.

The Navy reservist was briefly defence secretary during Mr Johnson’s interim government so would be taking her old job back.

Theresa May

Giving the former PM an important cabinet role could be a show of unity across all parts of the party.

One of the most experienced MPs in government, Ms May would be seen as a strong hand to steer the ship on Ukraine and China.

 Conservative MP Michael Gove attends Britain's Conservative Party's annual conference in Birmingham

Levelling Up Secretary

Michael Gove

On the back benches for the first time in a very long while, the Tory grandee said he will be standing down at the next election.

But if offered his old job back after being fired by Mr Johnson, it is unlikely he would turn it down.

Giving Mr Gove the job would be tactical as he has not been shy in criticising the government from the backbenches.

Kemi Badenoch

Handing Ms Badenoch the levelling up brief would bring Mr Sunak kudos from the right of the party.

Her popularity would come in handy as the job is wide-ranging and can be controversial.

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‘The capital is under attack’: Russian drones launched over Kyiv after Moscow targeted

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'The capital is under attack': Russian drones launched over Kyiv after Moscow targeted

Russia has launched a “massive” drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital overnight, after Moscow itself was targeted.

Amid flailing peace talks, the Kremlin’s nightly attacks on Ukraine continued.

Ukraine war – follow the latest updates

A large-scale Russian attack through the night into Sunday injured at least 11 in Kyiv and killed three people in towns surrounding the capital.

There were attacks elsewhere as well, including drone strikes in Mykolaiv, where a residential building was hit.

An apartment building destroyed after a Russian attack in Mykolaiv.
Pic: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Image:
An apartment building destroyed after a Russian attack in Mykolaiv. Pic: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

‘Massive’ attack

In Kyiv, the city’s administration warned “the night will be difficult”, as people were urged to remain in shelters.

The city’s mayor Vitaliy Klitschko described it as a “massive” attack.

He said: “Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working. The capital is under attack by enemy UAVs. Do not neglect your safety! Stay in shelters!”

It came after at least 15 people were injured in attacks the night prior.

Russia claimed it also faced a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, and that it intercepted and destroyed around 100 of them near Moscow and across Russia’s central and southern regions.

A municipality worker cleans up after a Russian drone strike on Kyiv.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
A municipality worker cleans up after a Russian drone strike on Kyiv. Pic: Reuters

Russia ‘dragging out the war’

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continued a prisoner exchange, marking a rare moment of cooperation in the war.

Amid the most recent attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated his calls for sanctions on Russia.

Russia “fills each day with horror and murder” and is “simply dragging out the war”, he said.

A resident looks at an apartment building that was damaged in a Russian drone strike.
Pic: Reuters
Image:
A resident looks at an apartment building that was damaged in a Russian drone strike. Pic: Reuters

“All of this demands a response – a strong response from the United States, from Europe, and from everyone in the world who wants this war to end,” Mr Zelenskyy added.

Every day “gives new grounds for sanctions against Russia”, he said, and each day without pressure proves the “war will continue”.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is ready for “any form of diplomacy that delivers real results”.

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Nine of Gazan doctor’s 10 children killed in Israeli strike on Khan Younis

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Nine of Gazan doctor's 10 children killed in Israeli strike on Khan Younis

Nine of a doctor’s 10 children have been killed in an Israeli missile strike on their home in Gaza, which also left her surviving son badly injured and her husband in a critical condition.

Warning: This article contains details of child deaths

Alaa Al Najjar, a paediatrician at Al Tahrir Clinic in the Nasser Medical Complex, was at work during the attack on her home, south of the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, on Friday.

Graphic footage shared by the Hamas-run Palestinian Civil Defence shows the bodies of at least seven small children being pulled from the rubble.

Rescuers can be seen battling fires and searching through a collapsed building, shouting out when they locate a body, before bringing the children out one by one and wrapping their remains in body bags.

In the footage, Dr Al Najjar’s husband, Hamdi Al Najjar, who is also a doctor, is put on to a stretcher and then carried to an ambulance.

The oldest of their children was only 12 years old, according to Dr Muneer Alboursh, the director general of Gaza’s health ministry, which is run by Hamas.

Rescuers removing the children's bodies from the rubble. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence
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Nine children were killed in the strike. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence

“This is the reality our medical staff in Gaza endure. Words fall short in describing the pain,” he wrote in a social media post.

“In Gaza, it is not only healthcare workers who are targeted – Israel’s aggression goes further, wiping out entire families.”

Rescuers placing the children's bodies in a van. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence
Image:
Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence

British doctors describe ‘horrific’ and ‘unimaginable’ attack

Two British doctors working at Nasser Hospital described the attack as “horrific” and “unimaginable” for Dr Al Najjar.

Speaking in a video diary on Friday night, Dr Graeme Groom said his last patient of the day was Dr Al Najjar’s 11-year-old son, who was badly injured and “seemed much younger as we lifted him on to the operating table”.

Hamdi Al Najjar, Dr Al Najjar's husband who is also a doctor, being taken into hospital. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence
Image:
Hamdi Al Najjar, Dr Al Najjar’s husband who is also a doctor, was taken to hospital. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence

The strike “may or may not have been aimed at his father”, Dr Groom said, adding that the man had been left “very badly injured”.

Dr Victoria Rose said the family “lived opposite a petrol station, so I don’t know whether the bomb set off some massive fire”.

Rescuers unload the children's bodies. Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence
Image:
Pic: Palestinian Civil Defence

‘No political or military connections’

Dr Groom added: “It is unimaginable for that poor woman, both of them are doctors here.

“The father was a physician at Nasser Hospital. He had no political and no military connections. He doesn’t seem to be prominent on social media, and yet his poor wife is the only uninjured one, who has the prospect of losing her husband.”

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Nineteen of Gaza’s hospitals remain operational, all of them are overwhelmed with the number of patients and a lack of supplies

He said it was “a particularly sad day”, while Dr Rose added: “That is life in Gaza. That is the way it goes in Gaza.”

Sky News has approached the Israeli Defence Forces for comment.

Read more:
Mum of emaciated baby in Gaza says ‘I don’t want to lose her’
Dad wrongly pronounced dead in Israeli bombing killed in airstrike

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Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began when the militant group stormed across the border into Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and abducting 251 others.

Israel’s military response has flattened large areas of Gaza and killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

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UN’s Antonio Guterres condemns ‘teaspoon’ of aid allowed into Gaza after dozens die in airstrikes

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UN's Antonio Guterres condemns 'teaspoon' of aid allowed into Gaza after dozens die in airstrikes

The head of the UN has said Israel has only authorised for Gaza what amounts to a “teaspoon” of aid after at least 60 people died in overnight airstrikes.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said on Friday the supplies approved so far “amounts to a teaspoon of aid when a flood of assistance is required,” adding “the needs are massive and the obstacles are staggering”.

He warned that more people will die unless there is “rapid, reliable, safe and sustained aid access”.

A woman walks amidst rubble at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Pic: Reuters
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A woman at the site of an Israeli strike in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Pic: Reuters

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Gaza: ‘Loads of children with huge burns’

Israel says around 300 aid trucks have been allowed through since it lifted an 11-week blockade on Monday, but according to Mr Guterres, only about a third have been transported to warehouses within Gaza due to insecurity.

The IDF said 107 vehicles carrying flour, food, medical equipment and drugs were allowed through on Thursday.

Many of Gaza’s two million residents are at high risk of famine, experts have warned.

Meanwhile, at least 60 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight.

More on Gaza

Ten people died in the southern city of Khan Younis, and deaths were also reported in the central town of Deir al-Balah and the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north, according to the Nasser, Al-Aqsa and Al-Ahli hospitals where the bodies were brought.

Palestinians carry a body at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Jabalia, northern Gaza .
Pic: Reuters
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A body is carried out of rubble after an Israeli strike in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Pic: Reuters

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‘Almost everyone depends on aid’ in Gaza

The latest strikes came a day after two Israeli embassy workers were killed in Washington.

The suspect, named as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, Illinois, told police he “did it for Gaza”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney of fuelling antisemitism following the shootings.

The leaders of the UK, France and Canada are “on the wrong side of humanity and (…) history”, he said, after they threatened “concrete action” against Israel this week if it continues its “egregious” military operations in Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu also accused Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney of siding with “mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers”.

Palestinians search for casualties at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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Palestinians search for casualties in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Pic: Reuters

But UK government minister Luke Pollard told Sky News on Friday morning he “doesn’t recognise” Mr Netanyahu’s accusation.

Earlier this week, Mr Netanyahu said he was recalling negotiators from the Qatari capital, Doha, after a week of ceasefire talks failed to bring results. A working team will remain.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 251 others.

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Read more on Sky News:
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The militants are still holding 58 captives, around a third of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel’s offensive, which has destroyed large swaths of Gaza, has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

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